MAIN INGREDIENTS
Kopstootje is a Dutch drinking ritual which can be found in almost every bar in the country. First, the bartender fills a tulip-shaped shot glass with Genever (old world gin) to the point where it almost overflows. The customers then place their hands behind their back, bend over, and slowly slurp the top off of the shot.
The rest of the shot can be gulped down, followed by a sip of beer served on the side. The flavors complement and enhance one another while remaining distinctive, without masking the other flavor.
Stroopwafel Liqueur is a sweet and creamy liqueur whose flavor should mimic traditional Dutch stroopwafel, a cookie made with a caramel-like cream sandwiched between two thin wafers. The drink is sweet and smooth, with caramel, cinnamon, and nutty notes.
Stroopwafel liqueur has around 15% ABV. It can be enjoyed neat or incorporated into cocktails, hot toddies, or desserts. Because of its character, it is also sometimes added to coffee or tea. Stroopwafel liqueur is produced by Van Meers company in Zwijndrecht.
Herfstbok is often called autumn bock bier. The style was modeled on bock bier—a type of strong and dark lager that originated in Germany. Dutch bock beers grew into a distinct style, and herfstbok is one of the seasonal varieties released by major and microbreweries.
Although it is not a mainstream style or available year-round, it is becoming increasingly popular. Herfstbok is now produced as top (ale) or bottom-fermenting (lager), and it is generally a broad category that does not have set guidelines. Most examples are dark beers with a dominant malty character.
Advocaat is a slightly thicker, custard-like version of eggnog liqueur whose origin is associated with the Netherlands. It is usually made with a combination of eggs, sugar, and brandy, and it should be thick enough so it could be eaten with a spoon.
Optional ingredients can include vanilla, other types of flavorings or sweeteners, milk or cream, and flavored spirits. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the drink is mainly enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif that is usually served in a small glass, and it is often topped with whipped cream.
Considered to be a predecessor to gin, jenever is a Dutch spirit that was originally distilled from malt wine. Since the drink had a sharp and unusual flavor, it was often infused with various herbs, including juniper – which eventually led to the creation of the name jenever.
Two distinct styles that exist nowadays are old (oude) and young (jonge) jenever. The former is similar to the original jenever and is mainly distilled from malt, with a small proportion of neutral alcohol, while the young style has a higher concentration of a neutral spirit and it's especially suitable as a cocktail ingredient.
VARIATIONS OF Jenever
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